(1999)
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(1999) |
A mysterious operative known only as "The Eye" becomes increasingly obsessed with the beautiful murderer he's been assigned to watch.
Subgenres: psychological
Director: Stephan Elliott
Writer: Stephan Elliott, Marc Behm (novel)
Cast: Ewan MacGregor, Ashley Judd
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Eye of the Beholder didn't leave me with very much of an impression. Of the movie as a whole, that is. What it did is reaffirm my belief that both Ewan MacGregor and Ashley Judd are two very talented actors who have great insight into the characters which they play. When the movie is as good as them, they're able to shine. When it is confused about its own nature--and Eye of the Beholder is--they're forced into floundering. Eye of the Beholder wants to make a captivating statement about human contact and obsession, and it doesn't fail for lack of trying. It does, however, fail to give us any real idea of why MacGregor's character (named "The Eye") is obsessed with Judd's. An idea about Judd's character being a surrogate daughter to MacGregor is interesting, but it's made uncomfortable, to say the least, by the sexualization of their relationship. This lack of setup renders some of The Eye's later actions--which in a better-planned film would have seemed a logical result of a deep-seated obsession--a betrayal of the character we think we know. I know what the filmmakers were trying to do; of course I do. Unfortunately, it just doesn't come together. (Apr 18, 2001)
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Several scenes were cut from the US version of the film. They're included in overseas prints and the Canadian DVD.
